US rate hike expected as Fed meeting looms

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to finally push interest rates up after seven years at the zero level when it opens a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday. The break, well-flagged by Fed officials including Chair Janet Yellen, would signify leaving behind the extraordinary crisis stance in monetary policy that aimed to restore the US economy's strength after the financial crisis and deep recession of 2008-2009. While an increase in the federal funds rate -- which has not been moved higher